1/27/2012

Magic in the Middles

After enjoying a delicious, savory Italian Sub Sandwich, I like to finish the meal with something sweet. A cookie after a sandwich is always a welcome treat. But these are not ordinary cookies. These are magic. No, I am not talking tricks. I am talking about a chocolate cookie dough that is stuffed with a sweetened peanut butter filling, rolled in sugar, and baked until the whole house smells like a peanut butter cup. Put out a plate of these and they disappear before your very eyes. Get it?!? Good. Now go make them!

Preheat the oven to 375° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.

For the Dough
In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking soda, salt, and espresso powder; set aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or using a hand-held mixer cream together the butter, sugars, and peanut butter until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until combined. With the mixer on low, add the dry ingredients and mix until combined. Fold in the chocolate chips.

For the Filling
In a medium bowl, stir together the peanut butter and confectioners' sugar until smooth. With floured hands or a teaspoon scoop, roll the filling into 26 one-inch balls.

Scoop the chocolate dough into 26 tablespoon portions, make an indentation in the center of the dough with a finger and place one of the peanut butter balls in the indentation. Bring the cookie dough up and over the filling, pressing the edges together to cover the center. Roll the cookie in the palm of your hands to smooth it out. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling.

Place extra sugar in a shallow bowl. Roll each cookie in the sugar and place on the prepared baking sheet, spacing 2 inches apart. Using the bottom of a drinking glass, flatten each cookie to about 1/2-inch thick. Bake for 7-9 minutes, or until they have set (and you can smell chocolate). Remove from the oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool. Bake the remaining cookies on a cooled baking sheet. Enjoy!

6 comments:

Nice shot of these guys... they are my son's all time favorite cookie. I remember when my mom made them for him a number of years back and he just couldn't keep his hands off of the plate. I've sort of forgotten about them... perhaps I will surprise him! He thanks you!